BATTLE OF ANTIPOLO
Choco Mucho aims to sustain form; Akari, Capital1 collide
DEANNA Wong and Choco Mucho aim to keep rolling as they clash with ZUS Coffee in the PVL Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series on Thursday.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of pvl
Games today:
(Ynares Center-Antipolo)
1 p.m. — Akari vs Capital1
3:30 p.m. — 3B vs ClearsSkiiin
6 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs ZUS Coffee
Choco Mucho shoots for back-to-back wins and the solo lead in a collision course with debuting ZUS Coffee in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Season 10 All-Filipino Conference Siklab series today at the Ynares Center-Antipolo.
Fresh off a rousing opening-day victory in Cebu, the Flying Titans visit Rizal province with hopes of earning another positive result in the 6 p.m. main encounter.
With Eya Laure and Sisi Rondina-Rosales back in the fold following their tour of duty with Alas Pilipinas in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Choco Mucho rallied from two sets down to surprise Capital1, 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8, in front of a record crowd at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena last Saturday.
Depth, chemistry and experience spelled the difference in the Flying Titans’ comeback over the young Solar Spikers.
Laure had 22 points as a starter while Rosales came off the bench and chipped in 12 markers. Veteran libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig and young middle blocker Lorene Toring also contributed well in Choco Mucho’s statement win.
Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin is embracing the all-to-play format as an advantage, knowing too well he has the luxury of a stacked lineup.
“For me, it’s a good thing with my current situation with Choco Mucho where I really need to field all my players,” Alinsunurin said.
“But it’s a good thing because we’ll see the level of each player and who’s tough enough to be playing in a particular battle.”
Choco Mucho is joined by defending champion Creamline, Nxled and Farm Fresh in the early winners list.
On the other hand, the Thunderbelles are not lacking in pieces either.
Seasoned stars Jovelyn Gonzaga and Rachel Anne Daquis are back to guide a good mix of veteran and young talents under head coach Jerry Yee.
Chinnie Arroyo, Fiola Ceballos, Kate Santiago, Zam Nolasco, Alyanna Ong, Ces Robles, AC Miner, setter Cloanne Mondoñedo and decorated libero Alyssa Eroa banner a ZUS Coffee side raring for redemption after a 10th-place finish last season with only one win in nine outings under its name.
Meanwhile, Capital1 and Akari seek to rebound from their setbacks when they meet at 1 p.m.
The Solar Spikers hope to close out a win this time with top wingers Erika Santos, who debuted with a 22-point explosion, Vanie Gandler and Bella Belen leading the way alongside heady playmaker Julia Coronel and young libero Detdet Pepito.
Just like Capital1, the Chargers are also seeking a quick turnaround after an 18-25, 21-25, 18-25, crushing loss to the Cool Smashers, witnessed by 19,106-strong crowd last Saturday.
Akari is banking on Ivy Lacsina, Fifi Sharma, Chenie Tagaod, Grethcel Soltones, Sharya Ancheta, Alas setter Mars Alba and libero Justine Jazareno to barge in the win column.
On the other hand, newcomer ClearSkiiin debuts against 3B in the lone Spikers’ Turf duel at 3:30 p.m.